Among the more underrated options of who the Los Angeles Lakers could have looked to for an answer at starting forward was New Orleans Pelicans' Saddiq Bey. That became a more difficult thing to move forward with after the report of his brand-new extension came through on Thursday.
Shams Charania told everyone via Twitter/X that Bey was receiving a three-year, $55.5 million contract extension with New Orleans. That deal also included a trade kicker. Coming off a productive 2025-26 season, the Pelicans forward was due for a raise. That is a substantial one, though.
Breaking down his new deal, Bey will be earning an annual average of $18.5 million over those three new years that just got locked in. Depending on what that trade kicker looks like, and his willingness to waive it in the future, that number could go up, too.
For the Lakers, if there came a point to look in Bey's direction, the new deal raises doubt. With the contracts having shrunk for the NBA's middle class during this current CBA climate, this does stand out as a bit of an overpay. Los Angeles needs to manage their financials quite carefully over the next few years. That could dissuade them from any move here.
$18.5 million a year is a lot for Saddiq Bey with the current NBA CBA
As mentioned above, Bey had a strong campaign for the uncompetitive Pelicans last season. After a torn ACL forced him to miss all of 2024-25, the 27-year old delivered healthy numbers again in the lead-up to his new deal.
Bey averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals with the Pelicans in 2025-26. That included strong shooting splits of 45-37-84, and modest ability on the defensive end.
Would those numbers be replicated on a team with championship aspirations? Probably not. While factoring in the type of anticipated dip that would come from being relegated to a fourth or fifth option in the starting lineup for the Lakers, that $18.5 million figure is just a touch too daunting.
Take a look at the decision-making process that surrounded Rui Hachimura. The former Lakers forward came off an all-time effective shooting campaign in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Rob Pelinka did not go out of his way to create an avenue for his return, allowing him to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers instead. Rui is only collecting a flat rate of $14 million in each of his two years there.
Bey's jump from $6.6 million in 2026-27 to $17.1 million in 2027-28 is enough for the Lakers to consider other options. Whatever the long-term solution is at the forward position beside Luka Doncic will involve someone else.
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